A low complexity weighted least squares narrowband DOA estimator for arbitrary array geometries

An increasing number of spatial filtering approaches requires narrowband direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimates. State-of-the-art (SOA) estimators such as root-MUSIC and ESPRIT are computationally complex and can be used only with specific array geometries. In this work, a low complexity DOA estimator is proposed that can be applied to arbitrary array geometries. The DOA is estimated by minimizing the weighted error between the observed and expected inter-microphone phase differences. The complexity of the proposed DOA estimator is significantly lower compared to that of the SOA estimators while providing a similar performance.